The Messenger Vol. 49 no. 1 January 2011

THE

MESSENGER

volume 49, number 1 January 2011

www.emconference.ca/messenger

Behold!

The Nations Are Entering the City of God p. 8

Also inside: Will you catch a ride on the moderator’s bus? p. 5 When Christians spread misinformation p. 11 Council delegates discuss The Harmony Project p. 15 Ministers rest at retreat p. 16 New leaders learn about the EMC p. 17

$2.00

a publication of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference

editorials

How will we share the Good News in 2011?

P

erhaps in the past we could rely on the myth of our being a Christian nation, common and often nominal church linkages for people, and a spike in attendance at Easter and Christmas.

But Dr. Charles Kraft says change is needed.

Kraft, a former worker in Nigeria and now retired as a missions professor, has long

recommended a return to an apostolic faith. By this he means a dynamic understanding and presentation of Christianity that result in an impact equal today to that of God’s revelation upon cultures in Bible times (Christianity in Culture, Orbis, rev. 2005).

“Establishment Christianity” freezes the Church into outdated, currently irrelevant forms, he says.

Instead we need to participate with God When people reject the Church in transforming contemporary forms with because it does not speak to Christian meaning. contemporary culture, what people “Established Christianity has feared reject is often not “essential to alter the forms lest Christianity,” says Dr. Charles Kraft. in so doing the content

should be lost,” he says. “By so doing, however, it has unwittingly assured that the content would be largely lost” (his emphasis).

When people reject the Church because it does not speak to contemporary culture, what people reject is often not “essential Christianity,” he says.

His words are challenging, troubling, and worth pondering.

Kraft is not a spokesman for the Emergent Church movement; his concerns predate the movement.

All of our EMC churches strive to reveal the relevance of Christ.

It is worthwhile, though, to step back to ask: what do others hear us saying? What would help them to better understand Christ?

Terry M. Smith

Four impressions

W

hat is the order of will be different views of what PowerPoint, and choruses are comyour church’s worship is required by our Evangelical mon. Third, some churches equate service, and why?

Anabaptist theology and history. evangelical and simplicity.

The EMC is an evangeliThe fourth impression? cal Anabaptist body, which We have spiritually gifted, Do some leaders guide in worship means being gospel-centred. committed worship leaders However, I suggest this in our EMC churches. Of with scant theological and historical reflects more our underlying that, there is no doubt. perspectives? Do we reduce worship theology than a particular However, this question worship format. nags me: are we in some leading to skills in music and singing?

Liturgy is a word associcases at risk of a poverty of ated, in some minds, with liturgy? formal, leader-focused, empty Some churches value informalDo some leaders guide in ritual that squelches spontaneity ity. Others prefer a blending of worship with scant theological and creativity, minimizing the formal and informal elements. and historical perspectives? Do we proclamation of the Word.

It has been my privilege to reduce worship leading to skills in Yet all churches have a liturgy. worship within most of our EMC music and singing?

It means “the work of the people,” churches in nine regions. These are Where will future worship and it refers to how the act of com- mere snapshots, I recognize. trends take us? Will we respond to mon worship involves all who are However, four impressions them by accident or choice? present, not just the leaders. suggest themselves. First, we are Terry M. Smith Worship practices vary among devoted to Jesus. our EMC churches, and there Second, praise bands,

2

THE MESSENGER | January 2011

contents Features

Departments

8

2 Editorials

Behold! The Nations Are Entering the City of God

3

– Dr. David W. Shenk

23 Weddings

11 Chicken Little Comes to Church

30 Shoulder Tapping

– Dale Dueck

5

11 Columns 4

A Reader’s Viewpoint

18 Steinbach, Man.: African connections explored at EMC national office

14 EMC delegates talk openly, harmoniously

19 Fort Chipewyan, Alta.: Beacon Camp held after three years

16 ‘Driven’ ministers need to rest

With our churches 20 Evangelical Fellowship Church (Fort Frances): Members move for study and service!

Moderator’s Musings

How well do we know each other?

– Richard Klassen

21 Roseisle EMC: Many activities continue to bless and bond

6

Archives Alcove

22 Evangelical Fellowship Church (Steinbach): Dedication held and shown

Issues of concern in 1980 and today – Terry M. Smith

22 Westpointe Community Church: From Mission Heights to Westpointe

7

Writings Shared

23 Wymark EMC: Missions conference a great success

Reviews: Exploring the Word; All Right Now: Finding Consensus on Ethical Questions; and Christians and War: A Brief History of the Church’s Teachings and Practice

33 Births News

20 Morris Fellowship Chapel: Pastoral couple ordained

5

31 In Memory

With our missionaries

Not everyone is a rocker yet!

– Abe Warkentin

Pontius’ Puddle

24 Heartland Community Church: Winter Wonderland!

17 NLO looks at the EMC 25 Rest Haven evening remembers courageous Christians 26 Westpointe wins first EM Cup! 27 Creating a culture of recovery 28 A ‘hinge moment’ in Canadian history 28 Four students injured, but God’s faithfulness revealed 29 Former MCC director, J. M. Klassen, dies at 81 31 EMCers add their voices!

17

34 Pictures of God

Praying for power – Joanna Plett

35 Stewardship Today

Usufruct—use of fruit – Mike Strathdee

36 Kids’ Corner

Something new!

– Loreena Thiessen THE MESSENGER | January 2011

3

MESSENGER

EDITOR Terry M. Smith tsmith@emconf.ca

ASSISTANT EDITOR Rebecca Roman rroman@emconf.ca

Submissions to The Messenger should be sent to messenger@emconf.ca THE MESSENGER is the monthly publication of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference.

It is available to the general public. Its purpose is to inform concerning events and activities in the denomination, instruct in godliness and victorious living, inspire to earnestly contend for the faith.

Letters, articles, photos and poems are welcomed. Unpublished material is not returned except by request.

Views and opinions of writers are their own and do not necessarily represent the position of the Conference or the editors.

Advertising and inserts should not be considered to carry editorial endorsement.

THE MESSENGER is published by the EMC Board of Church Ministries, 440 Main St, Steinbach, Man. Subscription rates: 1 year $24 ($30 U.S., $45 foreign) 2 years $44 ($55 U.S., $85 foreign) 3 years $65 ($82 U.S., $125 foreign) Manitoba residents add 7% PST. Digital only subscriptions: $15 per year.

Single copy price: $2 Subscriptions are voluntary and optional to people within or outside of the EMC. Subscriptions are purchased by the Conference for members and adherents.

THE MESSENGER is a member of Meetinghouse and Canadian Church Press.

Second-class postage paid at Steinbach, Manitoba.

ISSN #0701-3299 Publications Mail Agreement #40017362 Registration #09914 We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada, through the Canada Periodical Fund, for our publishing activities.

Undelivered copies, change of address and new subscriptions should be addressed to: 440 Main St, Steinbach, MB R5G 1Z5 Phone: 204-326-6401 Fax: 204-326-1613 E-mail: messenger@emconf.ca www.emconference.ca/messenger

Messenger Schedule:

No. 2 – February 2011 issue (copy due January 21)

4

THE MESSENGER | January 2011

a reader’s viewpoint

Not everyone is a rocker yet!

by Abe Warkentin

P

PHOTO: designpics.com

THE

eople worship in different ways.

We have to respect that and learn from one another.

But it takes a real effort sometimes.

In an issue of ChristianCurrent, Garry E. Milley, professor of church history and theology at Master’s College and Seminary in Toronto, once said: “Going to church today is quite a challenge. I hardly recognize my own tradition half the time.”

There has been a revolution going on with music and worship style.

Church rocks! But not everyone is a rocker yet.

The familiar hymns of the ages and Reformation are sung far less frequently.

Hymnals may be gathering dust or used to prop up the PowerPoint machine.

My fear is more people may be thinking, if you want to be a church leader, forget about seminary.

Learn to play drums instead. Loudly.

And learn choruses. Not necessarily many, but repeated over and over while you keep the congregation standing. Keep that up until older folks start swaying and fainting. Then, play it again for good measure.

In some churches, it seems the sermons have been shortened and reduced in importance, after the choruses and announcements.

I know people who are nearly devastated by this. Some no longer attend church because of the volume. One friend told me he suffers ringing in the ears and headaches.

Another says he sings the choruses dutifully, if not joyfully, all year and waits for Christmas when he would pay for a quietly-rendered Silent Night with guitar accompaniment.

One testy church member, who, when

There has been a revolution going on with music and worship style.

Church rocks! But not everyone is a rocker yet. asked what he‘d be putting into the plate next year, said X dollars with drums and twice that amount without the drums.

Dr. Milley says a little liturgy can refresh non-liturgical worship.

Translation: Cool it with the endless choruses already and try the hymn book for a change.

Dr. Milley said he once felt like calling out: “A little liturgy, please!” The call to worship had a worship leader running around with a sweat shirt and jeans testing mikes.

“All I could do,” he said, “was lean over to a friend and say, as we do down home, ‘Oh, me nerves.’ And I added, ‘Almost he persuadest me to be an Anglican.’

Apologies to Paul.”

The new form of worship is here to stay for awhile. The church has lurched and the pendulum swung. A new generation controls the agenda with the previous generation’s tithes.

Too bad I can’t go back to Santa Cruz, Bolivia, and talk this over in the plaza with the three-toed sloths. I’m sure they’d be against the drums.

I wouldn’t bother talking to Mennonites. They would never believe me if I told them what their distant brethren, in miles and worship style, were up to in Canada.

They’d probably say: “Well, we saw that coming; that’s why we’re here in Bolivia.”

Abe Warkentin has diverse connections, including with the EMC. He is the former editor of The Carillon (Steinbach, Man.) and of Die Mennonitische Post, a Germanlanguage newspaper.

moderator’s musings

by Richard Klassen, EMC Moderator

How well do we know each other?

I

was intrigued by the brilliant and resources to our network of suggestion coming from the churches. They have been gracious, floor at the Conference Council generous, and supportive of the meeting in Steinbach. While “children” they have birthed, though unlikely, touring the EMC universe the children may sometimes have in a politician-style bus would be a felt misunderstood and ignored. delightful, educational experience.

My years of ministry have been Later it occurred to me, what if all in the outlying regions. It has been EMC people could get on the bus and my privilege to feel the vitality of visit the other churches? newly-found faith, willingness to try In my brief stint as Moderator new ways of doing church, and the it has seemed to me that in many enriching diversity of cultural backrespects we do not know each other grounds. Seeing the joy of new life in well, though we may pride ourselves Christ and the eagerness to learn is in being cosmopolitan in our healthy for my pastoral heart. thinking.

Diversity is a gift from God, but My wife and I are privileged it can also cause tensions. The early to have lived in six of our regions church struggled to remain united, and our children live in a seventh. especially as the older Jewish segHopefully we may still get to regions ment and the newer Gentile influx 2 and 3. sought to co-exist as the body of We have visited 45 of our churches. It has always been a pleasant experience.

Even so, it is difficult to imagine the diversity among us and to capture the feelings, vision and reality of our church communities.

Yet, somehow by God’s grace we march under the banner of EMC. I had my beginnings in Region 6 and am greatly grateful for the “original” churches who felt the call of God to reach out, and who have supplied the lion’s share of workers, finances, theological direction, PHOTO: dreamstime.com, rebecca roman

Christ. Our challenge as the EMC is similar.

The way to unity includes many aspects. Certainly, our bond in Christ, who is “the way, the truth, the life” is the centre of that unity.

The Bible encourages us to make every effort to live in peace. Part of that, I suggest, is to attempt to know each other better.

Why not ask that “liberal” why he thinks as he does? Why not find out what the “conservative” element is thinking? City people could learn what makes country churches tick and vice versa.

The educated and less educated could discover what they have in common. Spanish and Low German segments could rejoice together in songs of praise to the Lord.

Some of this learning is taking place through The Messenger, annual convention and other meetings, efforts of the Conference Pastor and other office personnel, and actual visits.

It is vital that we have a genuine interest and desire to see the Conference unite and prosper so that these avenues will be effective. God bless us everyone!

THE MESSENGER | January 2011

5

archives alcove

by Terry Smith

Issues of concern in 1980 and today

Dear Ben, Greetings!

It was a pleasure talking with you the other day on the phone. I’m also happy to see your interest in the Social Concerns Committee. I wish you much joy and encouragement in your obligations in it.

Now some of the things which you might be able to work on as a committee: 1. I believe there should be a printed report on the results of the sexuality study. The findings should be summarized, at least for the EMC ministerial if not for a wider audience.

2. I believe it is imperative that we take a stronger stand against unwholesome TV programs. This, as you may recall, surfaced at Conference Council.

You might take off from those reactions.

3. The single adult 4. The senior citizen 5. The constitution also lists Family Relationships as part of the mandate for your committee.

6. It might be well to consider also an update on the alcohol pamphlet.

7. I believe the whole issue of being mentally handicapped and its implications to those involved needs airing.

8. Gambling.

9. Pornography.

10. Role of the woman. Although there may be a minimum of tension, we should give further thought to some matters where we maybe are inconsistent. For instance, the Missions Directory indicates that there are 32 single missionary ladies on the roster. Surely some of them are also involved in administration of kingdom business. At home we have no women serving on Conference committees, nor do we have any women delegates.

I am not strongly advocating this, but since another Mennonite Conference is now favouring women delegates, maybe it is time to give it a thought. It might be a good idea to give the wives of delegates automatic privileges to come as official delegates.

I’m just mentioning it. It may not even be in your realm.

Well, there you have it. It may give you some food for thought.

(not original letterhead)

6

THE MESSENGER | January 2011

Sincerely, Dave K. Schellenberg

R

ev. Dave K. Schellenberg was executive secretary to the (now) Board of Church Ministries. This letter (slightly edited) was sent on EMC letterhead in 1980 to Ben Dyck, a national Social Concerns Committee member.

Assistant editor Rebecca Roman has commented on how the church still grapples with these issues.

It is interesting to see how Rev. Schellenberg gently advocated a change in how delegates are selected: to allow wives of delegates to also come as delegates.

The EMC, as any denomination, grapples with the reality of change.

Since 1991 our conference has had a General Board to oversee its direction and wellbeing, subject to conference council.

The General Board has fifteen members: moderator, vice moderator, four board chairs, and nine regional representatives.

Under the authority of the General Board, the Harmony Project, a committee encouraging unity and decision-making amid diversity, presented its report to conference council.

Discussion was open, peaceful, and varied. The document will now be revised.

As well, the Social Concerns Committee, under the BLO, has been reformed. Its new members and efforts will become better known with time.

writings shared

I found gems that were new to me and gave me a new appreciation of the Gospel and Anabaptist teaching.

Exploring the Word, Dr. Jerry Hildebrand (self-published, 2010), 160 pp. $10 plus mailing. ISBN 978-0-9736826-32. Reviewed by Ray Hill (MacGregor), minister, school teacher, EMC Board of Church Ministries member.

I

found the text and lessons to be engaging. The 21 chapters progress from who God is to the Last Times, following nicely the Story as presented in the Word of God. The information is strongly based on scripture. Anyone going through the lessons will have a solid biblical foundation in these truths as well as new portions of the Bible memorized.

The content is meaty and complete, demanding some commitment of the student, but is presented at a level and sequence that is easy to follow.

I found gems that were new to me and gave me a new appreciation of the Gospel and Anabaptist teaching. Non-violence is explained in a chapter of its own.

Someone new to Bible study might find some of these terms a bit confusing but having answers at the back of each chapter eases the pain.

The format is mostly fill-in-theblanks interspersed with explanation. Discussion questions and scripture portions to memorize are

included at the end of each chapter.

“Exploring the Word” is a concise introductory course in theology and an overview of the Gospel story.

It is useful for personal as well as group study. I can see the book being used at home, in Sunday School at an adult or teen level or in a small group.

The finished product does not match the quality of the content.

All Right Now: Finding Consensus on Ethical Questions, Timothy J. Geddert (Herald Press, 2008), 226 pp. $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8361941-8-0.

Reviewed by Zac Klassen, leadership team member, The ConneXion, Arborg, Man.

“

T

o be a people of the book is to put Christ at the center” (26).

With this powerful statement, Tim Geddert sums up in a sentence the methodology guiding the entirety of his book All Right Now: Finding Consensus on Ethical Questions.

In this book, Geddert seeks to provide a concrete guide for churches to use when navigating complex issues in life like, how to treat our enemies and how to think about sexuality.

The fact that it is a guide that Geddert provides and not

truly seeks to encounter, is not a doctrine nor a tenet, but a person.

Thus, finding consensus on ethical issues within the church will not answers (although he does propose occur through leaders or scholars some) is good news, not only because imparting correct information to the there are enough “answer” books right people, but, rather, consensus out there, but also because the will happen through the formation central thread weaved throughout of the Christ-centred community the book is that the most helpful gathered around scripture. kind of answers come When churches face tough to communities that questions, we are called, not to go work, pray, struggle, to the Bible in order to extract an and listen together. unchanging doctrinal position on Jesus, the one an ethical matter, but, rather, we are answer the community called together to hear what Jesus is saying “right now.”

Geddert rightly notes that Jesus, the one answer the to do otherwise would be to undermine the power and community truly seeks to authority of scripture (37).

encounter, is not a doctrine nor a tenet, but a person.

Writings Shared continued p. 29 THE MESSENGER | January 2011

7

Revelation 21:9–22:5

PHOTO: dreamstime.com

Behold! The Nations A

A

few days ago Grace, my wife, and I returned from Indonesia and China. In Central Java in Indonesia we saw the graves of Pieter Jansz and his wife Jacoba Wilhelmina Frederica Schmilau.

They were married in the Netherlands on June 5, 1851, and two months later they sailed for Java. They invested over fifty years in missionary outreach and died quite discouraged by the very few who came to faith in Christ.

8

THE MESSENGER | January 2011

However, today there is a Mennonite church of 70,000 in Central Java and two other offshoot Mennonite conferences comprising about 25,000 members. These believers are from at least a dozen language groups in Indonesia. This was the first mission for Mennonites outside of Dutch/German/ Russian Euro-American culture.

Today the global Mennonite church is present in 70 countries and worships in well over 100 languages; the Mennonite World Conference tells us

T

the

iumph

LAMB

of the

Christ, His Church in Mission

Are Entering the City of God Dr. David W. Shenk

that there are 1.6 million Mennonites and growing at about 10 per cent per year.

China In China we served in seminars within the underground church. The church in China today is a remarkable demonstration of God’s grand plan to bring people from every people group into the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ.

During the 19th and well into the 20th centuries western missionaries planted the seed of the Gospel within Chinese soil.

Then just over sixty years ago Mao Tse-tung stood on the balcony overlooking throngs of hundreds of thousands in Tiananmen Square in Beijing and proclaimed the inauguration of the eternal communist revolution. Thereafter, all missionaries had to leave.

Estimates are that there were seven million Christians in China at that time. During the next thirty years the church was practically crushed in China.

The number of Christians declined to two million and it appeared that the church would be obliterated.

Then a gradual relaxation of pressure commenced. The church invested creatively within that relaxation. Today estimates are of 130 million Christians.

Never in history has the church experienced the phenomenal growth that is happening in China today. And this church is looking at the unreached regions beyond China, especially in the atheistic, Muslim, Buddhist, and Hindu worlds of Central Asia.

In both Indonesia and China we observed God’s plan for the nations happening. Recall that when

People from every language and people are coming to faith in Jesus Christ and are becoming participants in the redeemed community, the church.

Jesus was entrusted with the book of history, all heaven burst into song because Jesus would create the church, a fellowship of redeemed people from every tribe, language, people and nation.

That is what we experienced in our recent month of ministry in Asia: people from every language and people are coming to faith in Jesus Christ and are becoming participants in the redeemed community, the church.

The concluding two chapters of the Bible (Revelation 22-21) describe a great city, the New Jerusalem coming from heaven to earth. A heavenly messenger escorts John to a very high mountain where he peers in amazement at the grand city.

The City is the Church The city is the bride of Christ, the church. The city comes to earth from heaven, yet all the jewels comprising the city are form earth. That is the nature of the church—it comes from heaven—it is God’s creation. Yet without us there would be no church. Every stone in this city are representations of the redeemed people who comprise the city God is creating.

The twelve foundations are precious stones.

Each foundation is one of the tribes of Israel! (continued p. 10) THE MESSENGER | January 2011

9

The Old Testament is vital to open and the inhabitants of the The Church might seem understanding the church, for city proclaim clearly and in the the church is founded upon the power of the Holy Spirit, “Come!” fragile and weak, yet it is All who want the free gift of life, Old Testament accounts of God forming Israel into his covenant “Come!” (Revelation 22:17). actually God’s creation. people. However, the twelve gates of the city are pearls representing The Triune God the apostles.

This remarkable vision of God’s plan for the The New Testament is apostolic scriptures. The consummation of history is further refined in church is formed in its life and ministries through the opening verses of the last chapter of the Bible the New Testament scriptures; we can only know (Revelation 22:1-4).

Jesus Christ through the Old Testament and New We see a river flowing through the street of the Testament. city. The river comes from the throne and from the Alive churches are always communities of reLamb. deemed people who are nurtured in faith through This is a metaphor of the Triune God. God as the Scriptures; the story of Israel is our foundaFather is on the throne; God as Son is the Lamb; tion and the accounts of the apostles provide the God as Holy Spirit is the river. Father, Son, and structures for all that we believe and do as church.

Holy Spirit are united in bringing new life into our The city that John sees is tremendously large. It world, for the city street is where we live and work is a perfect cube, 2,200 kilometers long, wide, and and play. It is the jostling of our daily engagements. high. Remember that peoples from every language There is a tree whose roots go deep into the and tribe and people and nation are within this city. city street. Yet its life source is the river who comes Each of the congregations that we represent from the Lamb and the throne. is part of the vast mosaic of the city. In China we The tree is another metaphor for the church, worshiped in one house church of about 20 people; whose roots go into the context where we live and it was a new fellowship and most of the particiwork, but whose nourishment comes from the pants were new Christians. river, who is the Holy Spirit.

This tree has fruit for every season. This is the A Vast Network fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23). The leaves of It seemed so tiny and fragile; yet it was part of the tree are for healing. a vast network of house churches comprising some These leaves are those who are empowered by 100 million believers. That is the nature of the great the Holy Spirit to live righteous lives. This is the city that John saw, a city comprised of hundreds of church rooted within the local culture, yet receivthousands of fellowships of redeemed people from ing life from the Holy Spirit who proceeds from the around the world.

Father and the Son. The city is strong. Its walls are jasper. That is It is the church who blesses everyone with a stone so hard you cannot make a mark with a the fruit of the Holy Spirit and with the fruit of knife. The jasper wall is 65 meters thick! righteousness.

The Church might seem fragile and weak, yet it The account concludes describing the disciples is actually God’s creation. God redeems the church of Jesus looking into his face. Jesus places his name from destruction even within times of enormous upon their forehead. As we worship Jesus, he places suffering, such as the church in China experienced his joy within us; his joy radiates from the faces of after the communist revolution. those who love Jesus.

The gates of the city are never closed! The And so with joy we serve our Lord day and Church welcomes others to come. All who enter night! There is no greater joy and no greater calling have their names written on the Lamb’s book of than to be a servant of Jesus Christ. life. They have repented and have been converted; We join with the Holy Spirit, inviting all who they are committed to Jesus Christ. They are will, “Come!” forgiven sinners.

God’s intention is that every person on earth Dr. David W. Shenk was born lives within the City. Yet just judgment awaits in Tanzania and has taught in those who reject his grace. There is urgency.

Somalia and Kenya. He was EMC’s The decision as to whether to enter the city convention speaker in 2010. is of utmost importance. So the gates are always 10

THE MESSENGER | January 2011

photo: istockphoto.com

Check your facts!

Chicken Little Comes to Church

by Pastor Dale Dueck

R

emember Chicken Little, the bird who got hit by a falling acorn and thought the sky was falling? He inaccurately warned all his friends, who then panicked and got eaten by Foxy Loxy.

If Chicken Little had practiced some Berean discernment—examined claims carefully to see if they were true (Acts 17:11)—Foxy Loxy would still be looking for lunch instead of smacking his lips.

Unfortunately, Chicken Little seems to be coming to church.

The moral of the story for Christians? We can spread misinformation quickly through our

church, causing serious damage, when we don’t practice solid discernment skills by checking our facts.

The Internet age seems to have sparked a growing number of Christians who, like Chicken Little, respond without discernment to the information they find. Well-meaning folks discover all kinds of alarming information from various websites concerning various Christian ministries, authors, books, and missions, and then pass it on without any Berean discernment applied.

Tragedy often ensues as unchecked information spreads widely, drawing countless Christians into (continued p. 12)

THE MESSENGER | January 2011

11

its fearful circle, often causing sharp responses and incredible damage.

Consider these examples.

A warning On June 1, 2004, I received a mass email with a dire warning that the doctrinal sky was falling.

The impending doom involved an ungodly move to take Christian broadcasting from the airwaves.

The warning sounded valid, and a well-known evangelical spokesman’s endorsement was attached to it in hopes of garnering a million signatures from concerned Christians to stop the evil plot.

Christians were urged to add their names to the enclosed petition and to forward the warning to as many other believers as possible. By the time I received it, there were almost 420 names on the petition, some of whose names I recognized.

My habit is to not pass on any email without checking the facts behind the concern. I consulted several trusted websites, including that of the evangelical spokesman. My suspicions were confirmed. The email was not true; even worse, it never was true! It was simply the latest mutation of an E-rumor that began back in 1997.

The irony is that it was (and still is) being perpetuated by concerned Christians who somehow don’t check facts.

I returned the email to more than 100 addresses listed in the forward, informing them of the warning’s falsehood and of the need to check facts first. The reactions I received were interesting: a few were grateful for the correction, a number were upset that I would email them with the correction, and some said they passed on the warning “just in case it was true.”

A book critique The Internet is rife with critiques and evaluations about almost every

Don’ t pass on an ything without checking the validity of the concern expressed.

12

THE MESSENGER | January 2011

The e-mail was not true; even worse, it never was true!

Christian author and book on the market today.

I commonly receive information from concerned Christians who have been made aware of some glaring doctrinal error in a Christian book now exposed by a critique or evaluation. These wellintentioned folks see it as their mission to warn as many other believers as possible about the doctrinal error.

Let me say affirm with you that we ought always to be on guard for doctrinal error that might lead us away from the truth! This is a biblical mandate.

But, again, don’t pass on anything without checking the validity and legitimacy of the concern expressed. When I receive critiques or evaluations that seek to expose error, I read the critique, noting the quotes given by the evaluator supporting their contention that error is being taught.

Next, I check the quotes by reading them in the publication under review. While this may seem cumbersome, it is essential to solid discernment.

My experience is that quotes given in critiques and evaluations are sometimes incomplete or quoted unfairly with respect to the author’s fuller discussion. We all want to be quoted fairly and in context, and we owe those we critique the same consideration.

Not long ago I received a critique about a popular Christian book used by many believers as a study resource. Taken at face value, the critique gave its readers ample reason to steer clear of the resource. Indeed, the doctrinal sky seemed to be falling.

Upon reading the quotes in their context in the original book, however, I discovered that the critique missed some important contextual information given by the author. Of the four supposed doctrinal errors exposed, only one had any semblance of credibility and even that was debatable.

What became clear is the person distributing the Internet critique had likely never read the book to get the complete understanding of what was actually being communicated.

A pamphlet Several years ago I received a pamphlet, widely distributed by a popular radio pastor, who warned Christians of a grievous sin he felt they were unwittingly participating in should they play a particular game. Taken at face value, the pamphlet made a strong case for Christians to avoid this game.

What piqued my curiosity was that the pamphlet’s writer provided undeniable evidence from unnamed sources to bolster his claims. As is my habit, I contacted the radio pastor to see if he could substantiate the pamphlet’s claims through any objective material other than the unnamed source.

He could not. In fact, I scoured various resources to find corroborating evidence in support of the claim of error. There was none to be found.

The point is simple: since Christians are constantly being exposed to mountains of information and perspective in this age of mass information, it is our responsibility to ensure that we are discerning of all the material we encounter.

We always ought to be wary of material that teaches doctrinal error, but also of that which poorly and unfairly critiques and evaluates Christian ministries, missions, and books.

to correct material for which they have received criticism.

3. Be as keen and as diligent to check facts as you are on checking for doctrinal error.

Good discernment works both ways.

Be as keen and diligent to check facts as you are on checking for do ctrinal error.

What to do How can we act as Bereans and avoid the errors of Chicken Little?

1. If it involves an email warning, Snopes. com, truthorfiction.com, hoaxbusters.org, or urbanlegend.com are useful. These sites are usually reliable in reporting the accuracy of email material, also providing a history of how rumours have begun and developed. You would be surprised at how long some rumours have floated around churches and how they have mutated.

2. If you read a critique, also read the original material. Context affects the meaning of the information communicated. You owe it to the author to get understand the context correctly. Also, get the latest copy of the author’s work. Authors tend

If we believe the doctrinal sky is falling, we need to make sure that we accurately assess the information accurately. Chicken Little didn’t assess accurately and the result was catastrophic.

If only one of his friends had stopped long enough to help Chicken Little be a Berean, Foxy Loxy—or someone else looking for whom he might devour (1 Peter 5:8)—would still be looking for lunch.

Dale Dueck is senior pastor of Winkler EMMC in southern Manitoba. He holds a Master of Divinity degree from Providence Theological Seminary, where he was taught to check facts.

A year that will change your life SALT is an intensely rich cross-cultural immersion experience for Christian young adults. Openings are currently available in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America/Caribbean and the Middle East.

Qualifications: participants must be single I 18 to 27 years old I Canadian or U.S. citizens I actively participating in a church I committed to non-violent peacemaking

apply at salt.mcc.org

Mennonite Central Committee ®

mcc.org I 1-888-622-6337

THE MESSENGER | January 2011

13

Conference Council

EMC delegates talk openly, harmoniously

Questions or comments: Victor Engbrecht (left), Rick Bettig (middle), Ray Hill (right).

E

MC delegates from nine regions heard reports from five boards, approved a slightly larger budget, and discussed The Harmony Project harmoniously.

These are some results of the Conference Council meeting on November 27, 2010, at Steinbach EMC (Man.) with more than 100 delegates and national staff attending.

After moderator Richard Klassen welcomed delegates, host pastor Garry Koop asked in a “politically correct” environment “what does Jesus expect disciples of Jesus to say?” From Acts 4:8, whether delegates agreed or disagreed today, he hoped we agree we must speak of Jesus.

General Board The 2011 convention is in Calgary, Alta., with speakers in three languages. The 2012 convention—the EMC’s bicentennial—will be in Manitoba.

Dr. Harvey Plett listed some projects for 2012, stressing a tour to Ukraine is planned for May 21 to June 7, 2012.

An All Boards Meeting is planned for March 18, 2011, which will focus on Strategic Planning for our conference.

Board of Leadership and Outreach Chairman Layton Friesen said it provides theological resources and assists churches in crisis. The Social Concerns Committee is starting with

14

THE MESSENGER | January 2011

Zac Klassen (The ConneXion), Andrew Reimer (Steinbach EMC), Cyndy Warkentin (Saturday Night), and Clinton Wiebe (Saturday Night). What do you want our EMC to understand about our Aboriginal neighbours?

The BLO is strengthening the ministerial examination process and emphasizing leadership development.

Church planting coordinator Ward Parkinson said two highlights were the chartering of Emmanuel (Calgary) and a church-planting roundtable at Good News (Steinbach). Faithful work, resilience, dedication, and prayer are needed in such work.

Conference pastor David Thiessen listed pastoral changes and said there is a need to develop and call leaders from within, following EMC’s earlier pattern.

Vice moderator George Toews led discussion of The Harmony Project report.

Mennonite Foundation of Canada First Things First is being revised and credentialing of stewardship consultants continues. Don Brooker now serves in southern Ontario and Arnie Friesen in southern B.C. The Harmony Project Vice moderator and project member George Toews moderated a lively, yet peaceful discussion of the report on unity, diversity, and decision-making in the EMC. A key question: are the three parts of the constitution (Statement of Faith, conference organization, church organization) weighted differently?

Opinions varied. The document was generally positively viewed, though the question was asked whether this was a fast-track to change the constitution.

The committee, under the supervision of the General Board, will now revise the document toward its further consideration by delegates.

Board of Trustees BOT member Len Plett shared much-improved news of the 2010 year-to-date (compared with 2009).

The 2010 budget was $1,823,000. The proposed 2011 budget was $1,920,000.

Delegates discussed how they were to vote. Do they vote on whether the local church will increase its contribution or vote to support the budget (but not give more)? BOT member Syd

continental offices, there is much more than an assembly each six years. A short video highlighted MWC’s rich togetherness amid cultural diversity.

Board of Church Ministries Chairman Wes Kroeker introduced members. Terry Smith said Going Deeper: Guidance on Six Key Themes in Anabaptism was being distributed to leaders. Conference Youth Minister Gerald Reimer encouraged churches to forward names of post-secondary students and to avoid planning shortterm youth missions trips in the same year as Abundant Springs.

Rebecca Roman, assistant editor, said that in 2011 The Messenger will have a digital-only price of $15. There is also a single copy print price of $2. The council voted to purchase subscriptions (print and digital) for members and adherents.

MCC Canada Ron Penner read the report. Die Mennonitische Poste is appreciated, work continues in Haiti, peace buttons are popular, refugee assistance continues, the food grains account is low, and a new website Myth Perceptions deals with Native and non-Native dialogue.

Mennonite World Conference Bert Lobe, a staff person in North America, said he was impressed by the spirit of the day’s discussion. He said the Church is the message.

MWC represents 14,000 churches in 80 countries and 99 conferences, with two-thirds in the South (young, poor, and growing). How do we discuss with each other (Catholics and Lutherans with Anabaptists, when Ghana and Nigeria feel neglected)?

With four commissions, a search for a General Director, and possibly

Steinbach Bible College President Rob Reimer asked people with links to SBC to stand; many people stood. A four-year BA program now includes internship, which provides churches with leaders with experience. Its 122 students are ontrack to provide 5,000 volunteer hours during the college year. In 2011-2012 SBC celebrates its 75th anniversary.

Board of Missions Chairman John Bueckert says General Secretary Tim Dyck can be frustrating because he causes the board to consider what it is doing.

It does not make sense to open new fields without increasing the budget.

Faith has to be part of it.

CYM Gerald Reimer spoke positively of Project Macedonia’s work in Mexico and south-western Manitoba; China did not happen. Details about 2011 are pending.

PHOTOs: rebecca roman

Reimer said the board had prepared the budget with confidence, knowing some churches will not give more. The budget passed without opposition.

Steinbach Bible College president Rob Reimer noted many EMCers have connections with SBC.

Foreign secretary Ken Zacharias said it is a challenge to decide (given various views) how much funding to send to Nicaragua. In March, he and Antonio Pitta will visit there. Do we need more missionaries in northern Mexico?

General Secretary Tim Dyck said the goal is what is desired, not the strategic planning itself. Training is important, but secondary to character issues.

Danny Plett, who has served in German-speaking Europe, spoke of the impact of music ministry. He sang My Jesus, I Love Thee.

Response to EAC The moderator said the General Board approved a response to the Evangelical Anabaptist Committee’s final report. The EAC’s key recommendations were about membership, Christian education, mutual accountability, and pastor/church/conference relations. The basic response has been sent to churches, and further monitoring will happen.

Question and Answer Periods There were times for questions, comments, and responses during the day.

The moderator reminded delegates that the next council meeting is in July 2011 in Calgary. He prayed and said, “Go in peace.”

Terry M. Smith

Ron Penner (left) is both EMC’s representative to the Mennonite World Conference and a North American representative on its Executive Council. Bert Lobe is an MWC staff person in North America.

THE MESSENGER | January 2011

15

Ministerial Retreat

Susan and Abe Rempel (MacGregor EMC) rested by getting physically active—cross-country skiiing.

Musician and songwriter Danny Plett sang, and led in singing, at each session.

David Kruse (MacGregor EMC) and Gary Herrfort (Church of Living Water) enjoy a game of pool.

16

THE MESSENGER | January 2011

M

Darnell Plett (Prairie Grove) spoke inisters tend to be driven people who find it difficult to mostly about the elder brother’s perspective in Luke 15. Both brothers rest as God intends, accordwere alienated from the father, for ing to four speakers and comments by they had focused on what they could participants at the 2010 EMC ministegain, rather than on the father’s heart. rial retreat.

Pastors sometimes wrongly serve from Ninety-two people attended the a sense of entitlement. biennial event held November 27 to 29 On Monday morning David at Wilderness Edge Conference and Thiessen (Fort Garry) said his rhythm Retreat Centre in Pinawa, Man. of rest is more like difficult hike up a BLO staff person Ward Parkinson hill till God catches him. welcomed the retreaters.

Pastors, with varied personalities, Musician and songwriter Danny are “wired” differently. Journaling Plett said he was there to help retreaters rest and fall back on God’s grace. He sang, and led in singing, at Darren Plett (Pleasant each session. Plett has Valley) said there served 19 years in music ministry within Germanwere “no shoulds” in speaking Europe and, more recently, in a former the weekend.

Soviet country.

Darren Plett (Pleasant Valley) said there were is his prayer; it mirrors the Lament “no shoulds” in the weekend—people Psalms, starting in complaint but were to rest. eventually becoming gratitude. Rest God did not get progressively tired is a significantly spiritual exercise as he created, but rested purposefully necessary for our survival, he said. on the seventh day, he said. While There was a time of group discusministers might be in a hurry to get sion and small group prayer. Each things done for a good purpose, “stop morning there was a quiet time before and observe.” breakfast.

On Sunday morning Ward Ministers and deacons came from Parkinson (Morris) spoke from 39 churches and nine regions. The Psalm 62, saying we are to think next retreat is scheduled for 2012. of rest in worship, of finding rest Terry M. Smith in the source who fills our deepest needs. We are to say, “You are my God” and seek to be kept thirsty, small, and singing.

On Sunday afternoon people engaged in curling, The Amazing Race, laughing at a video of comedian Ken Davis, or walking.

A small crowd gathered to watch the Grey Cup and later Danny Plett offered counseling for those struggling after While EMC moderator Richard Klassen symbolically keeps the Saskatchewan’s loss. peace between Vern Knutson and Ward Parkinson during the On Sunday evening Grey Cup, he was a Saskatchewan supporter.

PHOTOs: terry smith

PHOTO: travis ungerr

‘Driven’ ministers need to rest

New Leaders’ Orientation

A

bout two dozen new EMC leaders gathered for a New Leaders’ Orientation (NLO) on November 29 to 30, 2010, along with about a dozen national leaders, spouses, and presenters.

As explained by Ed Peters, Board of Leadership and Outreach member, the orientation was to provide information and connection toward encouraging longevity in ministry.

Ron Penner, focused on The Anabaptist Story, quoted Greg Boyd’s view that Anabaptist theology attracts people. This affirmation is encouraging, but has its dangers, he said.

Anabaptist theology emphasizes Christ’s centrality: it focuses on interpreting Scripture through Christ, sees Jesus as the clearest revelation of God as love, the need to follow Christ in life, to be united with his Body, and a rich experience of the Spirit, he said.

Anabaptism also emphasizes the wholeness of salvation—body, soul, and spirit; following is the totality of a person. We are not saved only to later go to heaven, but to live a life following Jesus.

The Church is Christ’s body. The Anabaptists emphasized the visible church. Finally, Anabaptism touches on the primacy of the Kingdom of God (neglected in today’s preaching).

The Sermon on the Mount is for today. There is a balanced approach to mission, drawing together Matthew 25 and 28.

Penner spoke of the ordinances, emphasizing footwashing. If we are related to Jesus, we are related to each other, which footwashing highlights.

Dr. Harvey Plett traced The EMC Story from minister Klaas Reimer, who was concerned about worldliness in the Mennonite church in Russia in the early 1800s. The Kleine Gemeinde (Small Church), later EMC, began in 1812.

It grappled with the “humility movement” and decided to leave Russia when in 1870 it lost control of

its schools and military exemption.

The KG began to move to North America in 1874. It became known as the EM Church in 1952, later changed to Conference.

In Canada there was an early split under John Holdeman, a revivalist from the U.S., and in the 1940s there was a movement from a bishop system toward local church autonomy.

Tim Dyck, David Thiessen, and Terry Smith talked about conference’s organization of churches, regions, ministerial, conference council, and boards. With the conference’s emphasis on congregations and delegates, Tim emphasized that the conference is its members, not its national staff.

The evening ended with a showing of The Radicals, the story of early Anabaptist martyrs Michael and Margaretha Sattler in 16th century Switzerland.

On Tuesday morning, church planting coordinator Ward Parkinson talked of his own spiritual journey, entering the conference through Fort Garry EMC. Trudy Dueck, former codirector of church planting, looked at where we go from here.

She distinguished between a “probable” future and “preferred” (intentional) future.

She said a preferred future says God has a plan for us, we bring the gift of Anabaptist convictions to the wider Church, we are a conference (not a denomination), we must be evangelical in outreach, need new leadership to bring the vision, and it is really all about Jesus.

After lunch, people scattered.

Participants were given evaluation forms to assist in future planning.

The BLO is involved in examining and assisting new ministers in various ways. It is seeking to expand such efforts, Ed Peters said later.

Terry M. Smith

PHOTOs: terry smith

NLO looks at the EMC

Trudy Dueck explored the future of EMC.

Trudy Dueck: A preferred future says God has a plan for us...and it is really all about Jesus.

Presenters Harvey Plett and Ron Penner with The Radicals, a film on 16th century Anabaptist martyrs Michael and Margaretha Sattler.

Ed Peters, who assisted in planning the orientation, explained its purpose.

THE MESSENGER | January 2011

17

with our missionaries

Steinbach, man.

On December 15, 2010, at the EMC national office there was a meeting of missions minds—with a connection to Africa.

Paul Thiessen is our cross cultural worker-in-residence at the EMC national office. Since 1980 Paul has been involved in literacy and Bible translation in the Siamou language of Dr. Daryl Climenhaga, Dr. Anne Garber Kompaoré, Paul Thiessen, and Tim Dyck Burkina Faso, Africa.

Currently he continues such Congo) in cooperation with what is Part of his role is to connect with efforts while in Canada. He accomnow Africa Inter-Mennonite Mission.

Africa Inter-Mennonite Mission, panied Dr. Anne Garber Kompaoré to Harvey and Avril Barkman went in under which Paul and Lois Thiessen the national office.

1957. Other workers under AIMM serve.

Dr. Anne Garber Kompaoré, in have included Elvira Hamm, Glen Previously Tim served with Canada for two months, visited with Wycliffe Bible Translators in its offices and Betty Koop, Brian and Patricia EM Conference office staff and gave a Reimer, and John and Charity in Dallas, Texas, and Calgary, Alta. brief language lesson.

Schellenberg.

Since 2008, Tim’s EMC cross Under Mennonite Church Canada, cultural administrative work has EMCers have also served, or she serves as a translation and serve, on the continent of Africa with taken him to Burkina Faso, Paraguay, linguistics consultant to the associate missions. Some of them Burkina Bible Society and are Evelyn Barkman (Mali), Rachel Garber Kompaoŕe and Climenhaga the Evangelical Mennonite Bartel (Nigeria), Doug and Sandra Church of Burkina Faso. She Doerksen (Ethiopia), Lyndell and spent time exploring family lines, has assisted Paul’s efforts in Daniela Enns, Sylvia Fehr (Ethiopia), which Paul Thiessen said is a Burkina Faso since their work Rolf and Angela Kruse (Ethiopia), began, according to Paul.

Wayne and Essie Herrod (Kenya), common activity in Africa.

Garber Kompaoré lives Amanda Kehler (Ethiopia), Loren and in Ouagadougou, where her Beth Koehler (Congo/Kenya), Larry husband Daniel serves as a pastor. and Kathryn McNeill (Mali), Melvin Nicaragua, and Mexico; a visit to Asia Dr. Daryl Climenhaga is a thirdand Kari Peters (Lesotho), Peter and and a return visit to Burkina Faso are generation cross cultural worker in Helen Plett (Nigeria), Al and Robyn planned for the future.

Africa, who since 1997 has served Thiessen (Kenya), and Conrad and Since Garber Kompaoŕe and as the assistant professor of global Lavina Wiebe.

Climenhaga both have cultural ties to studies at Providence Theological Other EMCers have served, or Pennsylvania, they spent time explorSeminary in Otterburne, Man. serve, in Africa with MCC. Some of ing family lines, which Paul Thiessen He has worked in Zimbabwe, them are Peter and Leona Penner, said is a common activity in Africa. holds ministerial credentials with the Menno and Lydia Plett, Dennis and Traditional foods from Burkina Brethren in Christ and Mennonite Faso were provided by Paul—oranges, Rose Reimer (Egypt), Willie and Church Canada, and has served as Naomi Stoesz (Ghana), and Anthony peanuts, and dates.

Paul Thiessen’s professor. and Karlene Thiessen (Zambia).

The EMC Board of Missions was Tim Dyck is EMC General Terry Smith, with Witness formed in 1953 when Ben and Helen Secretary and serves as executive and PTS websites Eidse were sent to Belgian Congo secretary to the Board of Missions. (now the Democratic Republic of 18

THE MESSENGER | January 2011

PHOTO: terry smith

African connections explored at EMC national office

with our missionaries

Beacon Camp held after three years fort chipewyan, alta.

The facilities were spared. For the summer following, ironically, most of the southern staff could not be coaxed back. It took until this year to once again field adequate personnel.

Last summer was the third season in which other Denesothline children were flown in from Snowdrift, Great Slave Lake, as well.

The last time Albertan and Northwest Territory children were combined, some had to fly home early at considerable expense to the camp. But this time peace reigned between the villages.

There are some villages, the juvenile representatives of which absolutely cannot be at camp at the same time.

We were even happier than usual during our most recent camping season to again be able to fly “down North” to Beacon Bible Camp with our Fort Chipewyan kids.

This is not because we don’t have a lot of flying as it is, but because it was three years since we had last been able to hold camp.

In the summer 2008 the first campers had already been arriving when a forest fire originating far to the east, near the Saskatchewan/ Northwest Territory line, was sent racing westward in front of 25-knot winds.

Just when all appeared lost, our Lord Everyone in Uranium City (even though west of the stepped in a mere half-mile from the camp) and area was evacucampsite with a mighty, rushing west ated to Fort Smith, NWT. wind. The facilities were spared.

There hadn’t been a drop of rain all spring north of Lake Athabaska, leaving that rocky land of brittle reindeer-lichen Especially during those sumand crooked jackpines more tindermers when affordable airplanes dry than ever. are difficult to find, the question is Nevertheless, just when all apcommonly asked why more of the peared lost, our Lord stepped in a villages don’t haul their children to mere half-mile from the campsite camp by boat. with a mighty, rushing west wind of The reason is quite simply his own, and blew the fearsome blaze the exceptionally heavy seas. The back upon itself. It continued to burn legendary storms of Lake Athabaska at random for some weeks more, but commonly leave mariners windnever again returned to Beacon Camp. bound, sometimes precariously, for several days at a go.

Beacon Bible Camp is rather unique in that it is the only one, involving NCEM staff, which is itself both completely isolated and servMay 20-23, 2011 • Caronport, SK ing an area (in Alberta, Northwest Territory, and Saskatchewan) where every village is likewise isolated— some without even a winter road.

Abundant Springs 2011 Arlyn van Enns

NOT us...

Annette and Arlyn van Enns (La Crete Christian Fellowship) serve with NCEM.

SCHS Information Evening Thursday February 17 7:00 pm Meet faculty and staff, tour the facilities and find out how you can “Get Plugged In”

SCHS is accepting applications for grades 5–12

204-326-3537 schs@schs.ca www.schs.ca

for more info check us out at www.abundantsprings.ca

An EMC youth conference

THE MESSENGER | January 2011

19

with our churches

Members move for study and service!

EVANGELICAL FELLOWSHIP CHURCH, Fort Frances, Ontario

F

ort Frances EFC had a wonderful sunny celebration service August 29, 2010, at Seven Oaks Fort Frances.

We celebrated the baptism and membership of four believers. We were blessed by their individual testimonies of God’s graciousness in their lives. Each one expressed a version of how the truth of God’s love and His Word set them free.

Simone Gerber was baptized

by Pastor Jeff Plett with her father Andrew Gerber assisting. Tyler Friesen was baptized by Pastor Jeff with his father Ike Friesen assisting.

Tanya Smith and Wade Friesen were baptized by Pastor Jeff with Darcy Friesen, board chairman, assisting.

During the service our congregation surrounded the baptismal

candidates and prayed for them individually and collectively. Then we had a prayer for all the individuals leaving for school.

After the service we had a picnic, which included a cake celebrating the baptism and a treat of Tim Hortons coffee.

Several of the young adults in our congregation are off to school and travels this fall. The schools are as far away as British Columbia and as close as Steinbach Bible College. The travel can be as far as Switzerland.

Now we are sending off Bernie and Agnes Martens, once again, for mission work with MDS. In fall and winter 2009, their months were spent in Cheek, Texas, working at hurricane repair.

The destinations are Marble Fall, Texas, for November 2010, then New Iberia, Louisiana, for January and February 2011.

They are open to possibilities for March and plan to be home in April.

We are thankful for the work God is doing through our members as they go out and serve Him. Yvonne Friesen

Tyler Friesen is baptized by Pastor Jeff Plett and his dad, Ike Friesen.

Wade Friesen is baptized by Pastor Jeff Plett and Darcy Friesen.

PHOTos: yvonne friesen

Pastoral couple ordained MORRIS FELLOWSHIP CHAPEL, Manitoba

Agnes and Bernie Martens

20

THE MESSENGER | January 2011

ur church was blessed and excited to have the ordination of our new pastoral couple, Vern and Kathleen Martin, on October 24, 2010. It was good to have guests David and Merna Thiessen come and serve at this special occasion. David is EMC conference pastor.

Greetings came from neighbouring churches. A time of fellowship and refreshment followed.

Lorraine Loewen

PHOTo: lorraine loewen

O

Kathleen and Vern Martin with children Micah, Jaala, Leah, and Nathan.

with our churches

ROSEISLE EMC, Manitoba

T

he week of Sept. 13 to 17, 2010, was filled with adventure for the kids in our church and community.

Children’s evangelist “Uncle Harold” Field took the children for a “walk through the Bible” using pictures, stories, songs, object lessons, chalk drawings and puppets.

On Friday, September 24, our youth group attended Some of the church’s children play instruments during worship.

Athletes in Action’s Church An extended time of fellowship Night at the Stadium—an around a potluck lunch provided exciting game with an unfortunate more time for personal sharing and loss for the Bombers in the final conversation. Following lunch, our minutes. church family climbed aboard semiThe worship leaders met for a trailers for the annual hayride. picnic lunch the afternoon of Sept.

The traditional trek had to be 19 at the home of Darrell and Eleanor abandoned because of a bridge Friesen. The music committee washout, but the sun and scenery wanted to thank the leaders and were enjoyed nonetheless. sound technicians for their ministry Our church family is blessed to and acts of service. have many young families attending.

On Sept. 26 we were privileged In the past two months, we have had to once again host a group of young two parent/child dedication services. men from Teen Challenge in our As a congregation, we morning worship service. Their committed to support stories of hope and healing were a and pray for Andrew and tremendous encouragement to us.

Jeri Martens (son Tyson) and Pastor Kelly and Karen Lesser (daughter Anya) as they acknowledged that their children were a gift from God and dedicated themselves to raise their children to know and serve the Lord.

We celebrated Thanksgiving with a potluck dinner on

Andrew and Jeri Martens with son Tyson.

Sunday, October 17. The children of the congregation joined the worship team that morning with instruments provided by the music committee.

They played with much enthusiasm and joy!

We are grateful for the beautiful weather God provided during the month of October. After a very wet and rainy summer and September, the farmers in our area were able to finish (or nearly finish) their harvest before more rain at the end of the month.

We have much to be thankful for, and it is good to take the time to reflect on all of God’s blessings.

Eleanor Friesen

Pastor Kelly and Karen Lesser with daughter Anya.

PHOTos: eleanor friesen

Many activities continue to bless and bond

Uncle Harold with puppet Willie.

THE MESSENGER | January 2011

21

with our churches

Dedication held and shown

Holiday Travel

kirsten@holiday-travel.ca

EVANGELICAL FELLOWSHIP CHURCH, Steinbach, Manitoba

O

n December 5, 2010, a parentchild dedication was held for six families.

Parents were asked to indicate whether it was their intention to raise the child in the Christian faith.

The pastor led in a prayer and then gave a certificate of dedication to each family.

In the evening there was a presentation on the Nicaraguan ministry of CINAG, an educational centre for children and adolescents at risk.

Elizabeth Vado, CINAG’s director and a member of Mennonite World Conference’s advisory committee, was present.

Zachary Hein, from Westpointe Community Church (Grande Prairie, Alta.), led in singing and spoke of his two-year, short-term appointment under Action International to CINAG. Busy working in Alberta’s oil patch in summertime, Hein has committed two winters to service in Nicaragua. He will study Spanish in Costa Rica for part of the first winter.

Terry M. Smith

From Mission Heights to Westpointe WESTPOINTE COMMUNITY CHURCH, Grande Prairie, Alberta

M

ission Heights Community Church has now become Westpointe Community Church.

God continues to bless us as the year moves on. Our future church building located in the Westpointe community is almost complete and we have possession December 9, 2010. Several people have been involved in cleaning and preparing for our big move. This has been greatly appreciated.

Churches have kindly opened their doors to us during this transition so that our congregation may have a meeting place Sunday evenings. What a beautiful example of the body of Christ!

22

THE MESSENGER | January 2011

It is always encouraging to hear about how God is working through his people around the world. This year’s mission conference (November 18-21) at Westpointe Community Church was both an encouraging and challenging time of hearing from those that are working in various ministries.

We kicked off the conference with a coffee, music, and art night in support of Servants Anonymous Foundation. It was a great evening of

Churches have kindly opened their doors to us during this transition. What a beaufiful example of the body of Christ!

with the

Bicentennial Committee of the

Evangelical Mennonite Conference presents

Mennonite Heritage Tour with a focus on EMC history to

Ukraine and Crimea

Kiev, Mennonite Colonies, Yalta, Odessa from

May 21-June 7, 2012

Estimated cost: $5,200 including airfare

Deadline registration/deposit December 30, 2011 For tour details contact tour host:

Len Loeppky

14 Springwood Bay, Steinbach, MB, R5G 2E8 aloeppky@mts.net or 204-326-2613 Informational meeting announcement to follow.

fellowship and entertainment featuring several local Christian musicians and artists who donated their talents for SAF. Over $4,000 was raised in support of SAF through coffee and art sales.

Friday and Saturday we heard updates from Manna Ministries, Action International, Living Waters International, as well as from EMC. We were presented with various opportunities to pray for and support these various ministries.

For our Sunday service and close to the conference we heard a message from Gospel for Asia and were given opportunity to become involved in their ministry.

It was a great few evenings of fellowship and encouragement as we gathered together in His name to hear about His work and be challenged to take part.

Katelyn Tarnowski

with our churches

Missions conference a great success WYMARK EMC, Saskatchewan

The keynote speaker was Mr. Gary Williams from Dalmeny, Sask., ymark EMC’s missions confer- who represented the Wycliffe Bible ence was held at the Chortitz Society. Each of Mr. Williams’ meschurch on October 29-31, 2010. It sages was better than the one before. began with the annual Thanksgiving Everyone in attendance was banquet held in the church baseblessed and was given a new insight ment. This year on how Jesus the meal of roast Christ is our beef was served to perfect example a full house. in reaching a lost The theme world. of the mission A missions reconference was port was presented Fulfilling the at each service. mission God has Those reporting for us. The four were Dennis and services were Sharon Kirsch opened by Pastor from Central Paul Little, and American Mission; were emceed by Nathan and Tash our local missions Enns with New Gary Williams was the guest speaker at president Peter Tribes Mission; Wymark’s missions conference.

Enns.

PHOTO: marvin allan

W

weddings VION – NEUDORF: Garth Linden, son of Darrell and Eileen Voth, and Angela Grace, daughter of Abe and Lisa Neudorf, were married on Aug. 7, 2010, at Grace Bible Fellowship in Sexsmith, Alta., with Pastor Dwight Munn officiating. The couple lives in Grande Prairie, Alta.

MEADEN – BRANDT: Scott Jonathan, son of Bob and Arlene Meaden, and Kara Lee Marissa, daughter of Merv and Betty Brandt, were married on Aug. 14, 2010, at O’Brien Park with Bob Meaden officiating.

The couple lives in Grande Prairie, Alta.

CUTHILL – SIEMENS: Ryan Keegan, son of Rose Cuthill and Richard Gaucher, and Krystal Lynne, daughter of Dan and Helen Siemens, were married on Sept. 25, 2010, at Christian Fellowship Assembly

in Grande Prairie, Alta., with Pastor Jared Schroeder officiating. The couple lives in Grande Prairie.

THIELMANN – GOERTZEN: Jeremy Nathan, son of Karl and Klara Thielmann, and Bethany Helen, daughter of Willie and Margaret Goertzen, were married on Nov. 7, 2009, at Bezanson Community Church with Pastor Jared Schroeder and Sheldon Strydhorst officiating. The couple lives in Grande Prairie, Alta.

WARKENTIN – GOERTZEN: Jake Warkentin of Winnipeg, Man., and Mary Ann Goertzen of Winnipeg, were married on Nov. 20, 2010, at Braeside EMC with Rev. John Stoesz officiating. The couple lives in Winnipeg.

and, finally, Abe and Anna Bueckert from Picture Butte, Alta.

Bueckerts are EMC church planters and had an interesting presentation of their work with Mexican Mennonites returning to Canada.

Special music was a big attraction at each service. Millar College of the Bible students from Panbrum, Sask., performed one night.

Our multi-talented family of Archie and Sylvia Neufeld led the worship on Saturday, Oct. 31.

The men’s quartet Exodus, from Swift Current and district, presented an awesome concert at the Sunday morning worship service.

A light supper (faspa) was served on Sunday afternoon at 4:30 p.m., leading up to the final evening worship service. The entire weekend was a great success.

“The Lord has done great things for us…we shall come home with shouts of joy bringing in the sheaves” (Psalm 126).

Marvin Allan

Subscribe to The Messenger electronically Prefer e-copy to hard copy? Issues of The Messenger will be available electronically beginning in January 2011. To receive the electronic version, sign up on-line at www.emconference.ca/messenger or e-mail messenger@emconf.ca. Provide your name, mailing address, and e-mail address, and indicate whether you wish to continue receiving the print version or not.

For those who are not members or adherents of an EMC church, there will be a $15 annual subscription fee to receive the electronic version only; no additional fee applies if the full print subscription rate is paid.

THE MESSENGER | January 2011

23

with our churches

Winter Wonderland!

HEARTLAND COMMUNITY CHURCH, Landmark, Manitoba

C

Wil “the Shark”

Craft time

Jesus’ birthday cake created by Lindsey Schroeder

ve) es: sliding (abo Outdoor activiti w) elo (b ll and broomba

Hungry and happy Heartland youth

24

THE MESSENGER | January 2011

Wieler

PHOTOS: Paul wieler (indoor) and Andrea plett (outdoor)

amping in winter? Try Youth for Christ’s Camp Cedarwood at Lac Du Bonnet, Manitoba!

Brad and Cynthia Plett hosted Heartland Community Church on our first annual church camp held December 3 to 5, 2010.

Unfortunately, I was not able to attend this event, but I was told that it was great fun. Here is a collage of pictures to prove it.

Brigitte Toews

news

STEINBACH, Man.—On Currently we have 13 members, but we would Byeond about $900 expenses November 12, 2010, more love to see this number increase. I serve as chairthan 300 people gathered person and Dianna Schellenberg as secretary. coverd by donations, $4,200 at Steinbach 55 Plus to The Nov. 12 drama was a first for us, and we remember Christians who was raised toward front entrance raised more proceeds or funds than previously. In lived out their faith courafact, we more than doubled our best fundraiser. upgrades at Rest Haven Nursing geously and to raise funds We are grateful for the interest and support for a project of Rest Haven that the EMC Region 8 churches and community Home in Steinbach, Man. Nursing Home. extend to us.

The emcee for the eveWilma Doerksen ning was Evelyn Friesen.

RHNH volunteer coordinator The opening story—of the eastern trek from Russia into today’s Uzbekistan by Claus Epp and followers—was told by Bud Kehler.

Lorie Thiessen, from Millar College of the Bible, acted and told the life story of Diet Eman, a Christian member of the Dutch Resistance who helped hide Jewish people in The Netherlands during World War Two. Beyond about $900 expenses covered by donations, $4,200 was raised toward front entrance upgrades at Rest Haven Nursing Home in Steinbach, Man., in conjunction with the new elevator project.

The Rest Haven Nursing Home Auxiliary is a group of volunteer members whose mission is “to enhance the quality of life for the residents at Rest Haven Nursing Home through volunteer activities, fundraising events and service opportunities.”

We have monthly meetings where we dialogue, plan, and organize for projects at hand. Projects are selected from requests presented to the auxiliary in writing and approved by Lorie Thiessen acted and told the life story of Diet Eman.

Management. Any staff member, family member, resident or volunteer can summit a request.

We welcome new members, and they can apply with any one of the existing members in person or in writing.

THE MESSENGER | January 2011

25

PHOTO: wilma doerksen

Rest Haven evening remembers courageous Christians

news

Westpointe wins first EM Cup! In a contest where two teams succeeded for the first time I just want to thank all the teams and their churches for in reaching the finals, Grande Prairie (Alta.) defeated Fort participating in the event, Albert Martens and Athletes in Frances (Ont.) 5–1 to win the EM Cup on Action for being a part of the tournaNovember 14, 2010, in Steinbach, Man. ment, Gerald Reimer for his contribuAnother EM Cup has come There were 18 teams total, 12 in the tions, all the referees and time keepers regular draw and six in the recreational took the time to help us out. and gone, and once again it whoThank draw. One team came from Alberta, one you to the sponsors (Steve’s from Ontario, and 16 from Manitoba.

Livestock Transport and Parks Livestock has been a success.

In the semi-finals Grande Prairie of Canada) for the Gatorade for all the beat Ridgewood 10–1 and Fort Frances players, to the arena staff for doing beat Blumenort 5–4. an excellent job of taking care of all our requests, to Colin It was the first time that Grande Prairie or Fort Frances Loewen for taking care of all the little details, and to Colin’s had made it to the finals and that no Manitoba teams were wife for waiting until after the tournament to have the baby. represented in the final game.

Thank you to all the fans who came out to watch, and We raised $800 for Athletes in Action. to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ for giving us the opAnother EM Cup has come and gone, and once again it portunity to have a tournament like this. has been a success.

Cam Friesen As my first year of being part of the tournament committee, I made some new friends and witnessed some great camaraderie and fellowship.

The game of hockey doesn’t always glorify God, but I feel, for the most part, all the teams involved came out to do just that and had lots of fun as well.

We were treated to the SBC “Blue Man” who spent some time on Albert Martens’ (Athletes in Action) treadmill, and one team even brought a couple of buckets of chicken to eat on the bench during their final game.

Congratulations are in order to Grande Prairie (Westpointe Community Church) for coming out from Alberta and becoming this year’s EM Cup champions.

The EM Cup boasted some lively hockey action.

PHOTOs: cam friesen

Do you know who was the “Blue Man”? Send us your guess and your contact information. Your name will be entered into a single draw for a Steinbach Bible College gift pack provided by Patrick Friesen. Send The Messenger an email (messenger@emconf.ca) or call us at 204-326-6401 by February 11, 2011.

Fort Frances and Grande Prairie competed in the final game. Westpointe Community Church (Grande Prairie) won 5–1.

26

THE MESSENGER | January 2011

Gerald Reimer presents the EM Cup trophy to Jared Schroeder.

news

Creating a culture for recovery overcome the illness’s effects. It is movement from caretaking to empowering.

Power and control are put in the person’s hands.

Medications, where necessary, are to improve the quality of life, not simply relieve the symptoms.

Not just professionals but family, friends, church and community play a key role in recovery, he said. The community surrounding the person is important for recovery.

“The more we take care of (institutionalize) persons with mental illness, they more they become crippled,” said Dr. Ragins.

Recovery is counter-cultural, according to Dr. Ragins.

It is welcoming, engaging, accepting and emotionally connecting to people that society tends to reject.

The recovery model asks us to serve people who are unserved or underserved. Our job is to help people with mental illnesses find rightful places in our communities and sometimes to help our communities be better places.

For many persons with mental illness faith in God is a part of their emotional and spiritual healing. A community of “shared faith” must be promoted by acceptance and blessing.

Eden

PHOTOs: eden

WINKLER, Man.—With the shift to “person-centred recovery,” a shift is happening in thinking about mental illness: the focus is on recovery with the attainable goal of a better life.

So said American psychiatrist Dr. Mark Ragins at the second annual lecture series of Eden Health Care Services in Winkler, Man., on October 4, 2010.

The impact of having a mental illness can be disabling and powerfully affect the family and a person’s self image.

Mental health professionals have focused on treating the symptoms of the disease. The revolution empowers the individual to be in charge of their recovery. Treatment is directed towards the person; recovery is what the individual experiences.

Dr. Ragins, a prominent character in Steve Lopez’s book The Soloist (and 2009 movie), has dedicated his life to recreating, improving and sustaining mental health recovery programs.

Important is the concept that recovery focuses on assisting the individual to make gains in all areas of their lives, not just treating the illness.

Recovery works at building the person’s inner resilience, strengthening them to make it through tough times and

Did God speak to you?

Theodidaktos: Journal for EMC theology and education seeks 3,500-word papers written on the “God spoke to me” phenomenon. What do EMCers come up with as to a theology on how God speaks today to his people?

Do some hear audible voices or others receive nudges? What is the theological basis for such communication? Please inquire or send submissions to Editor Darryl Klassen, Box 129, Kleefeld, MB R0A 0V0; kemc@mts.net; 204-377-4773. There is currently no honorarium for submissions, but the Journal assists our theological education and discernment together.

2011 EMC Convention

Mission in the Mold of the Master July 1–3, 2011 Calgary, Alberta

THE MESSENGER | January 2011

27

news

A ‘hinge moment’ in Canadian history Every two years the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, of helped focus and solidify the themes and directions under which EMC is a member, sponsors a major conference for its consideration. constituency.

Among the themes that came through quite forcefully Bruce Clemenger, EFC President, has stated that were: “Canadian Evangelicals are living in a hinge moment at this 1. God is not only a social God but also a missionary God. point in church history.”

2. In general, the church in Canada needs to wake up to With this premise in mind, the organizthe fact that our country has changed, and ers labeled this conference Hinge: a National we, the church, need to embrace the new Church and Mission Dialogue Conference. We need to “be-live” the opportunities available to us in this multiIt was held November 16–18, 2010, at the gospel—really living out cultural context we now live in.

Holiday Inn in Mississauga, Ont. 3. It appears that as a church we have General Secretary Tim Dyck and mod- what we believe. bought into the individualism and consumerator Richard Klassen represented EMC at erism of the society we live in. We prefer to this conference. live in our backyards (privacy) rather than The various presenters—Glenn Smith, Rick Hiemstra, in our front yards (engagement).

Arnold Neufeldt-Fast, Alan Hirsch, Gary Nelson, and Cam 4. One of the things that we leave behind is the separaRoxburgh—capably analyzed the current Canadian church tion of being and doing (dualism). We need to “be-live” the scene, laid a theological foundation, helped participants gospel—really living out what we believe. think about what missional means and doesn’t mean, and Audio and/or video recordings of conference sessions are portrayed what that might look like in the Canadian context. available through the EFC by email request (efc@evangeliThe conference, however, was about much more than calfellowship.ca). just listening to speakers. Meaningful times of listening Richard Klassen, to God (via lectio divina) and significant group discussions EMC Moderator

PHOTo: sbc

Four students injured, but God’s faithfulness revealed STEINBACH, Man.—On October 11, 2010, four SBC students were involved in an accident on their way back to college after spending thanksgiving weekend in Swan River, Man. Involved in the accident were Derek Penner, Jeremy Penner, Gillian Hunt, and Chana Wielinga.

This is Derek’s testimony of God’s faithfulness through this journey: Life can change so quickly.

In fact, sometimes it only takes a few seconds for everything to change.

Driving back to school after Thanksgiving with three other students, I was in a serious vehicle accident; we rolled six times, and ended up nearly a footballfield length from the road.

The emergency personnel that arrived on the scene didn’t expect to find any survivors, but God’s hand of protection was on all four of us.

He saved us from what Derek Penner playing bass at Imshould have been a far more pact with a cast on his right arm.

28

THE MESSENGER | January 2011

disastrous accident. When I think of it that way, a broken arm doesn’t seem so bad!

Since then, I have felt so encouraged—the number of people supporting us through prayer is incredible.

This time has also brought me closer to God. I know that He has great plans for each of our lives, or we wouldn’t be alive right now.

I can live with a greater sense of purpose, knowing that God still has more for me.

God has given me joy in these difficult circumstances, and I’m excited to see what He has in store.

Derek, Jeremy and Chana returned to their studies a week after the accident, recovering from broken bones, cuts and bruises.

Gillian received injuries to her back and knees and is still recovering, spending time in and out of the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg. Please continue to pray for strength as she recovers from this accident.

The students and staff have rallied around the students involved in the accident and continue to support them in prayer.

Derek, Jeremy, and Gillian attend the Community Bible Fellowship (EMC) in Swan River. Chana and Gillian were roommates prior to the accident.

Patrick Friesen, SBC

news

Former MCC director, J. M. Klassen, dies at 81 WINNIPEG, Man.—J.M. Klassen, whose commitment and firm leadership helped shape MCC “JM’s determination, love for the Canada for more than two decades, died here on church, vision and skills enabled December 23 at the age of 81.

Born Jacob Klassen in Zagradowka in what a fledgling organization to grow,” is now Ukraine, his family fled to Canada via says Don Peters.

Germany in 1930. They eventually settled in southern Manitoba along with tens of thousands of other Mennonite immigrants.

Raised on a farm, he grew up to become a teacher, a few people at the time would hospital administrator in Steinbach, an MCC volunteer and, have dreamed possible,” says eventually, the executive director of MCC Canada from 1976 Don Peters, the current executo 1984. tive director of MCC Canada.

JM, as he was known, began his years with MCC in 1958 “MCC in Canada stands on the when he was appointed director of MCC’s programs in South shoulders of people like J.M. J.M. Klassen at the MCC offices in 1983.

Korea.

Klassen.”

MCC Canada came into being in 1964 and JM was apThe funeral of J.M. Klassen was held at River East MB pointed its first Executive Secretary.

Church in Winnipeg, Man., on December 28.

“JM’s determination, love for the church, vision and MCC Canada staff skills enabled a fledgling organization to grow and do what

Writings Shared continued from p. 7

Christians and War: A Brief History of the Church’s Teachings and Practices, A. James Reimer (Fortress Press, 2010), 192 pp. $9.99. ISBN 978-0-8006381-9-1. Reviewed by Chuck Friesen, lay minister, Pleasant Valley EMC.

C

hristians and War is an easy read, not encumbering the reader with thick scholarly jargon, but challenging enough to keep the scholarly attentive.

Reimer’s aim is to summarize the Christian Church’s position on war from the biblical era to the present.

That goal is certainly attained, albeit in a very condensed fashion.

However, the paucity of the book becomes its strength. It reads like an outline with attached class notes. In fact, Reimer confesses that he utilized the rough draft of the manuscript for this book as his primary text for a course he taught at

the Toronto School of Theology.

Reimer presents a very uniform treatment of the subject in each historical period.

While two chapters are dedicated to the Reformation era, these were, after all, very formative years. However, Reimer does not over-emphasize one period at the expense of another.

Reimer seems to lean towards modalism. Therefore, the transcendent God of the Old Testament cannot be understood, and we have no license to inquire of His

Reimer’s aim is to summarize the Christian Church’s position on war from the biblical era to the present. That goal is certainly attained.

lack of pacifism, and yet Jesus, God Incarnate, is the nonresistant Redeemer.

This is confusing, and rather an ill-constructed doctrine. For a sound theological discourse on the Triune Godhead’s Oneness, Archie Penner’s The Divine Covenants is a good starting point.

THE MESSENGER | January 2011

29

PHOTo: mcc

Under his leadership, a fledgling MCC Canada flourished

shoulder tapping Pastoral positions Community Bible Fellowship Church of Swan River, Man., is currently seeking a pastoral couple on either an interim basis (with negotiable hours) or, depending on circumstances, a fulltime, permanent basis to serve a congregation of about 75 on a Sunday morning in a community of about 3,500.

Responsibilities could include preaching, counseling, participation in team ministries, visitation, evangelistic outreach to community, direction setting in conjunction with Elder Team.

Our desire: a couple with passion for the Lord and his work, a desire to explore God’s unlimited potential through CBF, and administrative skills.

CFB oversees a small Christian school (about 35 students) on the premises. Our previous pastor was involved in the lives of students and staff, and we really appreciated his daily school involvement.

If you have an appetite for the outdoors and a longing to serve in a smaller community, we are a friendly community with much potential for church growth. We are ultimately looking for a permanent pastor. Open communication will be encouraged from an applicant to ensure intentions and expectations are clearly understood.

Please contact: Terry Scales (204-525-2651), Jake Reimer (204-734-4465), or Don Buhler (204-734-2403).

Fort Garry Evangelical Mennonite Church (fortgarryemc.ca) is searching for a university/ young adult pastor whom God has chosen to help us reach University of Manitoba students and young adults with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

We are a congregation of 250 located a block from the U. of M. Fort Garry campus.

Supported by a committed discernment group, this person will get to know the Fort Garry campus and establish relationships with present campus ministries. By creating relationships with individuals, the pastor will support the development of their faith by connecting them to people at FGEMC. A second phase may include program development.

Applicants must be able to embrace and sign the FGEMC Statement of Faith.

Qualifications include a love for people, enthusiasm and determination, creativity and an ability to work independently. A graduate degree and ministry experience on campus are assets.

Inquiries and resumes may be sent to Mark Plett, Search Committee chair, Fort Garry EMC, 602 Pasadena Ave, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2S9 or e-mailed msplett5@shaw.ca.

High Level Christian Fellowship is searching for a full-time pastor. We are a congregation of approximately 150 people located in northern Alberta. For more information contact: Pete Fehr at 780-926-6671 or email at pete@gbc2002ltd. net.

Youth work Rosenort Fellowship Chapel is seeking to fill a full-time position of youth pastor. We are a

30

THE MESSENGER | January 2011

congregation of approximately 150 attendees located in Rosenort, Man. The position would require successful applicant to lead both senior and junior youth programs. We would like to see some youth involvement in morning services with possible pulpit opportunities. A recently remodeled youth room in the church is used for their weekly event.

We are looking for a person/couple with a passion for God’s word and a heart for our youth.

They are to be approachable, accountable, supportive, missional to create real relationships with the youth and disciple them. Starting date is negotiable. If interested please contact Ryan Friesen at 204-746-6345 or ryan@gninc.ca.

Rosenort EMC has a full-time youth pastor position to begin immediately. REMC is a rural church of approximately 300 members with regular attendance of 250 people. Rosenort is situated in southern Manitoba with agribusiness as the main industry. Our church is a multi-generational church with strong family ties.

We are looking for a youth pastor to work with both junior youth (Grades 7–9) and senior youth (Grades 10–12). The successful candidate must have a deep desire to encourage our youth to grow deeper in their relationship with Jesus Christ; be committed to developing a mission vision within our youth; provide opportunity for leadership development for our youth; select, train, and work with youth sponsors from within the church family.

To submit a letter of application or request information, contact Arlin Scharfenberg, ascharfenberg@xplornet.ca, 204-746-6154, Box 106, RR 1, Morris, MB R0G 1K0.

Crestview Fellowship is a small EMC church on the west side of Winnipeg, Man., that is actively seeking out a half-time youth position.

Crestview is about 65-70 people with a small number of youth aged kids, but many younger children coming up. Our focus has also been to the community surrounding the church.

The successful applicant will be an actively growing follower of Christ who lives out their faith in action and word, possesses a servant heart for youth ministry, and is passionate about reaching young people in the church and surrounding community for Christ. Please contact the church office at 204-837-9490, cfcemc@mts. net, or 271 Hamilton Ave. Winnipeg, MB R2Y 0H3.

The Bridge Drop-In (Arborg Youth for Christ) is seeking a full-time program coordinator to help launch and run a youth centre in Arborg, Man. This exciting opportunity is revving up and will soon be ready to go with a committed team there to support and back you up!

Reporting to the Director and supported by a committed steering committee, this person will promote the ministry throughout the community, develop the drop-in program and supervise team members.

Applicants must be able to embrace and sign the YFC Statement of Faith and Conduct.

Qualifications include a love for youth, drive and determination, creativity and an ability to work independently.

Email resume to Carissa Rempel at director.arborgyfc@hotmail.ca; Arborg Youth For Christ, Box 621, Arborg, MB R0C 0A0; or call 204-376-5686.

Other opportunities MCC seeks applications for service workers interested in relocating to Mexico for three years to work in conservative Low German Mennonite communities. All MCC workers must exhibit a commitment to a personal Christian faith and discipleship, active church membership and nonviolent peacemaking. Ideally these positions would be filled by couples able to speak Low German, English and Spanish.

• Program Directors in Cuauhtemoc (needed immediately) • Program Managers in Nuevo Casas Grandes (May 2011) Contact John Janzen at 204-261-6381 or johnjanzen@mennonitecc.ca.

MCC is accepting applications for SALT, a crosscultural service experience for Christian young adults from the United States and Canada.

Serving and Learning Together (SALT) takes participants beyond Facebook to another country where they meet people face to face, build fascinating lives and add new friends. SALT volunteers live more-with-less, simply and “green” as they do practical service and watch God at work.

Assignments range from computer work to child care and church work to medical care.

Young adults teach, work in agriculture and advocate for the less fortunate. A complete listing of openings can be found at salt.mcc.org, along with an application and program information.

Applications should be submitted by Feb. 15, 2011, to ensure consideration for placement in one-year assignments that begin August 2011.

Participants need to be single, 18 to 27 years old, Canadian or U.S. citizens, actively participating in the life of a Christian church and committed to nonviolent peacemaking.

SALT is one of MCC’s Global Service Learning programs for young adults. To learn more about MCC’s other short-term programs, visit mcc.org/ gsl.

The Messenger does not sell advertising, but provides free space (classified and display) to enhance our Conference, its churches, boards and ministries; inter-Mennonite agencies and educational institutions; and the wider church. Ads are not to be for monetary benefit. To place an ad, e-mail messenger@emconf.ca or call 204-326-6401 and ask for Rebecca Roman.

news

EMCers add their voices!

Michael Brandt

Steven Dueck

PHOTo: bethany

HEPBURN, Sask.—Two EMCers in Bethany’s Starlight Choir are both from Rosenort EMC: Michael Brandt (tenor) and Steven Dueck (bass).

Bethany College

in memory

Jacob Plett Siemens 1921–2010 Peacefully with family at his side on March 6, 2010, Jac Siemens passed on to be with his Lord and Saviour.

Greeting him upon his arrival was his wife Tina whom he loved so deeply, as well as many family and friends in heaven.

Jac is survived by his six children, Marilyn Kornelsen and husband Leo, Glenn Siemens and wife Irene, Jerry Siemens and wife Helen, Peter Siemens and wife Angela, Val Kroeker and husband Jerry, Elden Siemens and wife Lynda.

Also left to cherish his memory are 16 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

Jac was born on November 2, 1921, in Rosenhoff, Man., the youngest of three children born to Peter and Helena Siemens. After the passing of Helena, Peter remarried to Margaret Plett, Jac’s stepmother from when he was the age of seven years.

Jac was baptized on his profession of faith into the Kleine Gemeide Church in 1943. On October 22, 1944, Jac married the love of his life, Tina Eidse.

Their children were truly blessed to witness the deep love that these two soul mates shared with each other, as well as the abundance of love they so freely gave to their children.

Dad’s faith and trust in God was strong and his daily prayer was that he and Mom would someday be in Heaven together with their whole family.

Dad leaves a great legacy of love, caring, and doing good with all whose lives he touched.

A farmer at heart, he began his career at an early age, helping his father and brother on their grain fields as well as tending to the animals they kept. Dad loved farming and settled his own family on his favourite piece of earth, Pleasant Valley, Man. Many times later on in his life he would fondly recollect the stories he

cherished so dearly of this simple time.

Dad would supplement his farming income with jobs during the off season.

He drove truck for Rosenort Transfer and worked shifts at the now defunct Sugar Beet Factory in Winnipeg. Before his official retirement he worked as a custodian at Westfield Industries in Rosenort.

Dad also loved working in his shop in Riverside, welding gas tank stands, grain scoops, mud scrapers, and picnic tables.

Dad will, however, be remembered most for his tender and kind heart. A man of very few words, he let his daily walk do the talking for him.

His life and the legacy he leaves with us are indeed gifts that will shape and challenge us today and always. He leaves with us a Christian example of a life lived for Jesus.

Thank you to the community at the Rosenort Heritage Apartments and to the staff at Morris Hospital during Dad’s last days and especially the night, we the family, said our last goodbyes.

A celebration of Jac’s life was held March 10, 2010, at Rosenort Evangelical Mennonite Church in Rosenort, Man., under the care of the Morris Funeral Home.

His Family

THE MESSENGER | January 2011

31

in memory

Henry W. Kornelsen 1927–2011 On Saturday, December 18, 2010, Rev. Henry W. Kornelsen, aged 83, peacefully went into the presence of Jesus, with his family at his side.

Henry was born in McTavish, Man.; lived in Kleefeld, Man.; and completed grade eight in Ridgewood.

At age 18 Henry left to work in a harvest crew in the USA. This was followed by logging in Vermillion Bay, Ont., and working at the P. B. Reimer store in Steinbach, Man. He also started a construction

Menno L. Reimer 1928–2010 Peacefully on October 17, 2010, Menno Reimer passed away at Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg, Man., at the age of 81 years.

He will be lovingly remembered by his wife Eva Graves-Reimer; daughter Julene and friend Jorge of Winnipeg; daughter Sheryl and husband Robert of Surrey, B.C.; son Reginald and wife Valerie of Brandon; and son Darren and wife Andrea of Steinbach; eight grandchildren, six sisters and five brothers, and a large extended family.

32

THE MESSENGER | January 2011

company with his brother Tony, as well as farming.

He accepted the Lord as his personal Saviour at the age of 18 and was baptised in the Blumenort Kleine Gemeinde Church. He married Tina Reimer on May 21, 1950.

He leaves to mourn his passing: Tina, his loving wife of 60 years; six daughters, Luella (Tony) Hiebert, Janice (John) Barkman, Grace (Cornelius) Plett, Phyllis (Jerry) Plett, Bernie (Herman) Wiebe, Mavis (Gary) Unger; four sons, Garry (Sharon), Wayne, Mark (Sheryl), Reg (Sherri); 24 grandchildren, 15 greatgrandchildren, three brothers and four sisters and their spouses; two sisters-inlaw and numerous nieces and nephews.

Henry was predeceased by his parents, George and Annie Kornelsen; one grandchild, Danae; two brothers and one sister.

Dad was part of the outreach from the Blumenort church, instrumental in starting the Ridgewood EMC, elected minister in 1959, elected pastor in 1964 and continued in that ministry for 28 years.

This was followed by five years of church planting in Fort Frances, Ont.; and various short-term ministries in Mexico, Paraguay, Niverville (Man.), Creighton (Sask.), Leamington (Ont.), and Paradise Village (near Ste. Anne, Man.).

He served as the moderator of the EM Conference for six years and was on the board of Steinbach Bible College for 16 years.

Dad’s caring, unselfish heart, and enduring faith ruled his life.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Krahn and the Rest Haven nursing staff for the tender loving care given to Dad. The funeral service for Henry W. Kornelsen was held on Dec. 22, 2010, at Ridgewood EMC with pastors Stan Hamm and Travis Thiessen and son Garry Kornelsen officiating.

Pallbearers were Sheldon Hiebert, Donovan Kornelsen, Alicia Hill, Tyson Kornelsen, Lindsay Reimer, Ivan Plett, Nathan Wiebe, and Danielle Unger.

Interment was in the Ridgewood EMC cemetery.

His Family

Menno was predeceased by his wife Marion, one brother, and his parents.

Menno was born on November 1, 1928, to Jacob P. D. Reimer and Elizabeth Loewen Reimer of Pleasant Valley, near Morris, Man. He was baptized in 1948.

On September 27, 1953, he married Marion Friesen of Kleefeld. They farmed in the Rosenort area for 42 years and moved to Winnipeg in 1995 for retirement.

Along with the demands of farming, Menno was an active community and church member, serving in a wide range of capacities, from Sunday School Superintendent, songleader, chair of the church building committee, credit union board member, EMC Missions Auxiliary and conference delegate, and, more recently in Winnipeg, on the condominium board.

After being a widower for eight years, he married Eva Graves of Steinbach on April 3, 2010. He was a member of Fort Garry EMC. The family extends gratitude to Dr. Dwayne Funk and staff on the Medical Intensive Care Unit at Health Sciences

Centre for their compassionate and expert care.

A viewing and memorial service were held at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, on Thursday, October 21, 2010 at 7 p.m. Funeral services were held at the Rosenort Evangelical Mennonite Church on Friday, October 22 at 2 p.m., with interment at the Rosenort Cemetery.

Donations were welcomed in his memory for Inner City Youth Alive or the Canada Food Grains Bank.

His Family

Check out the EMC website: www.emconference.ca

in memory

Harry R. Friesen 1941–2010 We grieve the death of our husband, our father, our grandfather, and friend Harry Friesen.

He was born on December 29, 1941, to Cornelius and Marie Friesen. He spent his first 15 years of life living in Landmark, Man. He was baptized at the age of 15 in the Prairie Rose EM Church. He then moved with his family to Riverton, Man., to clear farmland and support the new Mennville EM Church. He left home at age 19 to study at the Steinbach Bible Institute.

He was married to Levina Thiessen on August 28, 1965. They were married for 45 years.

After their first child Sheldon Bruce was born, Harry enrolled at the Mennonite Brethren Bible College and the University of Winnipeg. During this time their second and third children were born, Layton Boyd and Lendra Bernette.

In 1972 the family drove to Belize where he taught at King’s College for two years. They moved back to Riverton two years later where his fourth child, Galen Brent, was born.

In 1984 the family moved to Seminole, Texas, where Harry taught school and pastored for five years. Harry and Levina returned to pastor there in 1993.

In 1998 they moved to Steinbach, Man., and have lived there to the present.

His retirement years included countless trips with Levina to Kansas, Texas, Mexico and Paraguay to support church planting with Mennonite people.

Harry will be remembered as a kind and generous man. Many have shared how Dad showed his enthusiasm to see them.

He will be remembered as endlessly curious of almost everything. Farming practices, human biology, astronomy, theology, food preparation, fitness, music, and trees were only a few of the subjects he loved to study and to teach others about.

He will be remembered as a thoughtful minister, spending days and nights up with people who needed him. His preaching was passionate and devoted to the great love of his life, the holy scriptures.

He loved the churches in Seminole, Texas; Copeland, Kansas; and Rio Verde, Paraguay.

Harry loved his family deeply. His grandchildren blossomed under his hearty delight in their hobbies, art and antics.

He was willing to be different, he was careful to be scriptural, he was gracious and hospitable to people he could not understand. He loved the simple pleasures of friendship, forest, soil, and food.

He suffered a stroke on Sunday evening, September 12, 2010, after a day of visiting with family. He passed away on Thursday, September 17. His dying was surrounded by the love of church, family, and friends.

He leaves behind his beloved wife Levina, and his children and grandchildren: Sheldon; Layton and Glenda with Carmen and Marcus; Lendra with Cheyanne and Geneva; and Galen and Kristin with India and Nyka.

He was predeceased by his sister Caroline, his brother Albert, his nephew Terrence, his brother David, his parents Cornelius and Marie, his grandchild Tai (before birth), and his sister-in-law Barb.

The family wishes to thank everyone for love and support.

His Family

births BRAES – to Brendan and Christina Braes of Grande Prairie, Alta., a daughter, Malaina Joy, on Sept. 7, 2010.

calendar British Columbia no events currently

Alberta no events currently

Saskatchewan no events currently

Manitoba Jan. 28: Campus Visit Day, Canadian Mennonite University, Winnipeg, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., www.cmu.ca/campusvisit.html Jan. 29: CSSM Ministries National Banquet, Winnipeg E. Free Church, 500 Lagimodiere Blvd, Winnipeg, 204667-8207 (free, reservations required) Nov. 27: EMC Conference Council meeting, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (registration at 8:30 a.m.), Steinbach EMC, 422 Main St, Steinbach, info@emconf.ca, www. emconference.ca.

Nov. 27–29: Rest and Renewal, EMC Ministerial Retreat; for current and former pastors, associates, missionaries, elders, deacons, and spouses; Wilderness Edge, Pinawa; wparkinson@emconf.ca; www. emconference.ca.

Ontario no events currently

FRIESEN – to Bryon and Courtney Friesen of Winnipeg, Man., a daughter, Kate Makenna, on Oct. 17, 2010.

HIEBERT – to Abe and Susie Hiebert of Aylmer, Ont., a son, Matthew Abram, on Dec. 16, 2010.

BUECKERT – to Jerry and Mandy Bueckert of Grande Prairie, Alta., a daughter, Shaylee Faith, on Oct. 1, 2010.

HIEBERT – to Jordan and Debbie Hiebert of Winnipeg, Man., a daughter, Emily Elizabeth, on Nov. 16, 2010.

DERKSEN – to Martin and Emily Derksen of Grande Prairie, Alta., a daughter, Alyvia Jordyn, on Sept. 11, 2010.

KLASSEN – to Henry and Lena Klassen of Aylmer, Ont., a son, Sawyer John, on Dec. 4, 2010.

DIGNEAN – to Trevor and Kellie Dignean of Hudson Bay, Sask., a son, Braxton Andy, on April 28, 2010.

LOEWEN-WATSON – to Brent and Tanya Loewen-Watson of Winnipeg, Man., a daughter and a son (twins), Sarah Ruth and Ivan Glenn, on Dec. 18, 2010.

DRIEDGER – to Darcy and Valerie Driedger of Grande Prairie, Alta., a son, Logan James, on Nov. 24, 2010.

DRIEDGER – to Larry and Monica Driedger of Grande Prairie, Alta., an adopted daughter, Kreiden Taleana, on Oct. 8, 2010.

PAULS – to John and Karen Pauls of Winnipeg, Man., a son, Korbin John Elijah Seth, on Dec. 16, 2010.

PLETT – to Jeremy and Erin Plett of Winnipeg, Man., a daughter, Jamie Esther, on Dec. 4, 2010.

THE MESSENGER | January 2011

33

pictures of God

by Joanna Plett

Praying for power It struck me how quickly I assume that God’s power is mostly poured out to help us do good things and to help us be nice people, but Paul prays for this outpouring at the core of our salvation. God expends his “glorious riches,” pours out his power, and sends his Spirit to make it possible simply for Christ to dwell in my heart.

What I tend to see as the result of an altar call, a prayer of repentance or a quick jog through the four spiritual laws is actually an ongoing work of the Spirit in our inner beings.

“And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,” Paul continues, “may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people....”

Paul’s chief long ing for Christ-followe rs is that we would sta rt to grasp the love G od has for us so tha t we can stop trying to earn it.

34

THE MESSENGER | January 2011

PHOTO: designpics.com

A

few days ago I was reading Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3:14–21 and discovered a misunderstanding I have with God. “For this reason,” prays Paul, “I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that...” “you may live pure and holy lives,” I add, or “so that you may do good to your neighbours” or “so that you may share your faith more effectively.” But this power is not poured out on us to do good works, but “so that Christ may dwell in [our] heart[s] through faith.”

“Now we’re on to good works!” my subconscious tells me. We’ve got salvation in place and we’re rooted and established in love, so now the power must be applied to doing.

But Paul prays for power “to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” Even in this phrase I find myself trying to insert a challenge to good works in at least two more places while Paul prays for supernatural power to get a handle on God’s incredible love for us.

Although Paul does eventually teach on how our faith plays out in our lifestyles and relationships, his chief longing for Christ-followers is that we would somehow get it, that Christ would be alive in our hearts and not just be a ticket to heaven, that we would start to grasp the love God has for us so that we can stop trying to earn it.

When my faith is dependent on the power of the Holy Spirit and on God’s glorious riches, and when my mind begins to comprehend the fullness of his love for me, I can begin to live out my faith in freedom and not out of obligation.

I am challenged to pray this prayer for myself more often—that God would strengthen me so that Christ will live in my heart and that He will give me power to understand his love more fully so that I can be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

stewardship today

by Mike Strathdee

Usufruct—use of fruit

T

hink much about use of fruit?

A year ago Beryl Jantzi, a U.S. stewardship educator, told a gathering of pastors that they should ponder the concept of Usufruct.

Usufruct is the legal right to use and derive profit from something that belongs to another person, so long as the property is not damaged.

The concept dates back to Roman times. The word doesn’t appear in the Bible, but it has great application to a Christian worldview.

Spend some time with it and you will to realize there is a rich vein to be mined.

Usufruct comes from the Latin expression usus et fructus, meaning

using and enjoyment. We can also think of “use of fruit.”

How do we use the fruits of our life for our enjoyment, in ways that honour God and aren’t damaging to God’s property?

We’re called to do both. And God’s property is everything we have been given.

As we accept God’s lordship and ownership of all, our conduct becomes relevant to a discussion of use of fruit.

God told Moses that people working the land need to leave some of the harvest for the less fortunate: “Now when you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap to the very corners of your fields, nor shall you gather the gleanings of your harvest” (Leviticus 19:9).

The media and culture of our world encourage us to harvest right to the edge of the field, and often beyond, unfortunately.

We live in a country where the average person spends $1.47 for every

PHOTO: designpics.com

How do we use the fruits of our life for our enjoyment, in ways that honour God and aren’t damaging to God’s property?

dollar they earn, where a staggering proportion of the trillion dollar debt Canadians owe was put on credit cards for things that have no lasting temporal, let alone eternal, value.

Leaving anything around the edges, let alone for anyone else’s benefit, is a countercultural concept.

Richard Swenson, in his book Margin, stresses the need to leave space, or margin, in four areas of our lives: finances, physical energy, emotional energy and time.

Part of that involves the word, “No.” If we are given 100 good choices, but can only do or buy 10 of them, we have to say no 90 times.

It’s a question of being committed to under-scheduling our lives and budgets, to “leaving room to respond to the unexpected that God sends our way,” in Swenson’s words.

Swenson’s book has been around for decades. Its cover was incredibly compelling: it pictured an expired parking meter, a sad metaphor for how our society often lives.

To live in the heart of God—to grow into faithful, joyful giving— means that we have to do the hard work of thinking about and working at things that aren’t so common.

We are to live with margin in our lives, to be ever conscious of our responsibility to carefully steward the fruit that God has provided.

Mike Strathdee is a stewardship consultant at the Kitchener, Ont., office of Mennonite Foundation of Canada (MFC). For stewardship education and estate and charitable gift planning, contact your nearest MFC office or visit Mennofoundation.ca.

THE MESSENGER | January 2011

35

kids’ corner

by Loreena Thiessen

H

Mary knew that Jesus, her son, was also God’s Son (Luke 1:35). The angel Gabriel had told her.

As a young boy Jesus reminded her of this (Luke 2:49). This was a new thing. It had not happened before.

As a man Jesus taught something new. He taught that he had come to heal people of their broken hearts and hurt bodies, to set them free, and make them see.

Jesus commanded bad spirits to leave and healed people of high fevers.

He showed Simon Peter where to fish to fill his boat.

Some people were very angry. They could not accept this new thing.

But the people who were healed and helped knew who he was; “You are the Christ, the Son of God!” they said (Luke 4:41).

Jesus taught that the Sabbath, the day of rest, was about honouring God. He taught that he would protect his

appy New Year! It’s 2011!

What’s special about a new year?

First, it’s a new number we haven’t seen before. And it makes us look forward to something new, or for a chance to do better.

Also it’s a tradition for some people to make a New Year’s Resolution, a promise to yourself to do or learn a certain thing.

Maybe you want to skate better, practice spins, the toe loop, or the half flip. Your goal may be to play on a team. You may want to learn new chords on the guitar or read the entire Narnia series.

You may want to get better grades in school. Whatever it may be it’s your new thing.

On the Christian calendar the New Year and Christmas are connected by one week. They are connected in another way too.

Each one celebrates ACROSS something new.

2. Frozen water 5. Sport—going down Two thousand 6 the mountain on years ago something a board new happened; it 6. Sport­— going down had never happened the mountain on skis 7 7. Opposite of hot before. A baby was 8. Where you skate born who was the 9. Shoes to walk on top of snow Saviour for all people 10. Popular winter sport in the whole world.

This was the DOWN 1. Sliding on ice Saviour God for 2. These are formed by dripping water that freezes which people had 3. Downhill fun on this simple type of sled been waiting. Their 4. Winter house wait was over. Jesus 5. Pulled over snow by horses and dogs 9. White flakes from the clouds the Messiah had come.

winter puzzle

36

followers when they were afraid in the storm (Luke 8:24- 25).

He taught that when you talk to God, he hears and will answer you. He taught that if you have a little faith, it will grow into a bigger faith.

He taught that he came to save those people who search for him. The story of Zacchaeus is an example (Luke 19:1-10).

All of these actions and lessons were new. In the past there were harsh laws that hurt people. They ignored and separated the poor and sick from others.

Jesus came to change this. He wanted everyone to come to him so that he could heal them and save them.

This is the new thing. This is why the angel said, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people” (Luke 2:10).

1

2

3 4

5

8

9

10

THE MESSENGER Evangelical Mennonite Conference 440 Main Street Steinbach, MB R5G 1Z5

Publications Mail Agreement #40017362 Registration #09914

THE MESSENGER | January 2011

Answers Across: 2. ice, 5. snowboarding, 6. skiing, 7. cold, 8. rink, 9. snowshoes, 10. hockey Down: 1. skating, 2. icicles, 3. toboggan, 4. igloo, 5. sled, 9. snow

Something new!